The serene Friday night in Morocco transcended into one of the most horrifying moments for Moroccans.
The trembles were first felt when people were asleep, putting them in a vulnerable state. Before they could even fathom what was happening, the tremors intensified exponentially.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake obliterated the North African country. Morocco suffered its worst calamity and the deadliest earthquake since 1960 and the most powerful one since 1900. The death toll is rising by the hour, while the rescue missions are hampered by the destruction. Several people are still missing, while the rescued are struggling with basic necessities.
What Happened in Morocco Over the Weekend?
The weekend in Morocco was the test of humankind, as one of the most intense earthquakes hit the country. The 6.8-magnitude earthquake lasted for a few moments, but the repercussions are still wreaking havoc.
In the latest update, the death toll has reached 2901, while 5530 have been gravely injured. In more disturbing stats, people cannot even be found under the heaps of rubble.
The head of the Menara district in Marrakesh, Abdel Wahed Chafiki, said it is even difficult to determine whether people are missing, dead, or trapped.
Al Jazeera reported that the village of Imi N’Tala is completely ravaged. The mountainous terrain seems to have been affected, and the landslides have not only obstructed the path but also trapped the people.
While the local authorities are in full force with rescue operations, search and rescue teams from Qatar, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates have been great resources to expedite the process alongside Moroccan Emergency services.
At this point, people are also terrified of possible aftershocks. The villages need urgent rescue operations as most of the infrastructure is traditionally made from a mix of stone, timber, and mortar composed of mud. As a result, the destruction is way more than in the urban regions.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss Francs for relief to Morocco.
The IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, has urged people globally to contribute in any capacity to the fund.
“The IFRC is launching this appeal to harness the goodwill shown by so many towards the people of Morocco. The needs on the ground are great and will only grow over the coming days and weeks.
We ask partners and donors to continue to show solidarity with the people of Morocco and to help scale up our collective support to those communities hit by the earthquake. This emergency response is a marathon, not a sprint: people affected by the earthquake will need support for weeks and months to come. We will need to support them not only now, but in the future. Such a vast-scale earthquake needs long-lasting and sustainable support.”
You, too, can contribute to the funds on your own accord. Visit the IFRC for more information. Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments section below.